Psalm 53

Authorship

This Psalm was authored by David.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. The fool. (1)

A. Has said there is no God.

B. Is corrupt.

C. Has done abominable iniquity.

D. Not one of them does good.

II. God examines the foolish seeking... (2)

A. Those who understood the truth.

B. Those who sought God.

III. What God found. (3-5)

A. Every one of them is gone back.

B. They are filthy.

C. There is none that does good, no, not one.

D. Workers of iniquity who:

1. Have no knowledge.

2. Eat up God’s people as bread.

3. Have not called upon God.

4. Operate in fear.

IV. What God did. (5)

A. Scattered his bones.

B. Put them to shame.

C. Despised them.

V. A prophetic word. (6)

A. Salvation of Israel will come out of Zion.

B. God will bring back His people from captivity.

C. Israel shall rejoice and be glad.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 53,6(5)A פַחַד לֹא־הָיָה פָחַד {A}

Ps 53,6(5)B עַצְמוֹת

Ps 53,6(5)C חֹנָךְ {B} MT // exeg: G?, S? / paraphr: T / assim-ctext: σ', α', Hebr clav חניך

Ps 53,6(5)D הֱבִשֹׁתָה {B} MT, T // exeg: σ', α', Hebr / assim-ctext: G, S